Epidemiological investigation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus infection among the one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in southern Tunisia

Faten Bouaicha, Albert Eisenbarth, Khawla Elati, Ansgar Schulz, Boubaker Ben Smida, Mohsen Bouajila, Limam Sassi, Mourad Rekik, Martin Groschup, Médiha Khammasi Khbou. (1/1/2021). Epidemiological investigation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus infection among the one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in southern Tunisia. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 12 (1).

Abstract

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by a Nairovirus, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). The present survey aimed to determine the exposure of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) from southern Tunisia to CCHFV. A total of 273 sera from extensively reared camels were collected from Tataouine district, Tunisia, and tested by CCHFV-specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. By combining the results of three serological tests, the overall seroprevalence of CCHFV was estimated as 89.7% (245/273). No viral RNA was detected from camel sera using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). A total of 165 ticks were collected from camels and tested with RT-qPCR, and only one Hyalomma impeltatum tick was positive for virus RNA.